I am so excited to have two of my favorite authors on the blog today. I mean super excited!!!!
I just love Kendra & Melinda. I have had the great pleasure of meeting Kendra and she such a sweet person.
I have yet to meet Melinda in person but in talking with her online I know she is the real deal.
To say I was beyond excited that these two are teaming up to write a 4 novella series is an understatement. So how about we talk to the ladies and find out how this all came about and the trials and tribulations of writing together.
*****
Hi Kendra & Melinda! Welcome back to the blog. This will be the first time you are on the blog at the same time. I am super excited to have you both here.
So normally I start off by asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself. But since I have you both here how about you tell me a little about one another.
Kendra, please tell me about Melinda: Don’t underestimate her! She may be tiny but she will kick your ass with her martial arts skills. She’s got a dry sense of humor, passionately loves all animals, and likes her vodka tonics. She overflows with energy, loves to talk with strangers, and can turn into a protective mama bear in a split second. I won’t tell you how often she gets her hair colored.
Melinda, please tell me about Kendra: She dotes on her daughters, loves Project Runway, and gives her beer options careful consideration. Kendra has a dog that looks like an Ewok. Dog lovers should go to her Facebook page just to see a picture of Max. Adorable! Kendra On the hair color: I won’t tell if she won’t.
Kelly: You both write in the romance suspense genre. Have you ever been mistaken for one another?
KE: Recently a review on one of Melinda’s books suggested we were pen names for the same person. We got a good laugh out of that. Readers occasionally mix us up. We’ve both been mistaken for writing the other person’s books on Goodreads or in reviews and blogs.
ML: People have also commented that we look enough alike to be sisters.
Nope not the same person
Kelly: If so can you explain why you are not the same person? And how people might think you are?
KE: Only someone crazy could have managed to write all our titles within the last three years. I like to think our quality of writing couldn’t be met by someone writing that fast. I know Melinda’s nearly gone nuts meeting just her own schedule.
ML: We have photographic evidence there are two of us! But we do write in the same genre, and since we share a publisher, there is a small amount of similarity in our book covers and sometimes we share promotion. That could explain the confusion.
Kelly: Have you thought about writing in a different genre? If yes, which one?
KE: I considered writing a Young Adult historical. Something like Outlander for teens. But romantic suspense has been really good to me, so I want to focus on maintaining that momentum.
ML: I love all sorts of fiction. Writing a straight mystery thriller sounds like fun, but right now I’m enjoying being able to blend genres however I choose. Each book comes out a bit different.
Kelly: I have to say when I found out that the two of you were teaming up to write a set of novellas I was super excited. What made you finally decided to take the plunge and work together?
KE: We’d remarked casually on it a few times but never thought about it seriously. I think we’d believed the only way to do it was to collaborate on a single book which is VERY complicated with two opinionated authors. In 2013, I got an early copy of Allison Brennan’s and Laura Griffin’s CRASH AND BURN in which they each wrote their own story but made them related and a light bulb went off.
ML: Yes! Writing one book together seemed difficult given we live on opposite coasts. The idea of related stories quickly evolved into a television-like series. Each novella has it’s own plot, but there’s also an overall plot arc to carry the reader from one story to the next, like episodes in a TV series. Plotting together was a lot of fun.
Kelly: How did you come up with the idea of the Rogue River series?
KE: Hmmm. How I remember it was that we knew we wanted to each write from the point of view of two sisters. We wanted them to have a big family. And live in a small town. And water needed to be prominent in the title and books. We tossed around a few river names and I remember Melinda really liking the sound of the Rogue River. Maybe Melinda remembers more…
ML: Magic? I flew out to Seattle to visit our publisher, and Kendra drove up. We plotted all four novellas in one day. Yes, there was definitely magic involved in getting that done so quickly.
Kelly: Whose idea was it to have it set in Oregon?
KE: Melinda was polite and offered to go with my home state. I needed to be comfortable and write about an area I knew. Melinda is tougher than that.
ML: I knew I could rely on Kendra to fill me in on any necessary local details.
Kelly: Are any of your characters Oregon State Beaver fans?
KE: NO
Kelly: Boo!! “Go Beavs”
ML: Whispers, “What’s an Oregon State beaver?”
Kelly: *GASP* we will talk after Melinda
Kelly: Ladies, can you give us a look at the 1st novella in this series, which is written by Kendra ‘On Her Father’s Grave’ (released October 7th).
KE: In a small town like Solitude, Oregon, keeping a secret can be murder.
Stevie Taylor had left her sleepy Oregon hometown for a more exciting life. But after her police chief father passes away, the LAPD cop returns to Solitude and signs on as a patrol officer, hoping to heal from her loss…and from the horrific things she’s seen in the city.
In Solitude, everyone knows everyone else’s business—and, to Stevie’s dismay, local gossip soon ties her to the new police chief and a man from her past. Tragedy then shakes up the small town when a teenager dies after taking a strange new drug. Now, the seasoned LA cop must hunt down the dealer while investigating the most important case of her life, one that could divide her tranquil town.
Kelly: How about we take a look at the second novella in the series, which is written by Melinda ‘Gone To Her Grave’ (released October 21st)
ML: In Solitude, Oregon, everyone has secrets…and some will kill to keep them.
When she believes a teen is falsely accused of drug dealing, social worker Carly Taylor takes on a high-risk case and her estranged husband—the detective in charge of the investigation—to prove the boy innocent. A deadly new designer drug has taken hold of her small rural hometown of Solitude, Oregon, and Carly is determined to find the real dealer and clear the teen’s name. But the deeper she digs into the case, the more danger she unearths, until someone decides it’s time for Carly to move on…permanently.
Investigator Seth Harding knows he can’t stop his wife when she has a child to protect. But he risks any chance of reconciliation with Carly if he can’t learn to accept her dangerous job. When a drug dealer decides Carly is getting too close, will Seth lose her altogether?
Kelly: I know that there will be 4 novella’s in the Rogue River series, book 3 Her Grave Secret by Kendra and book 4 Walking on Her Grave by Melinda will both be out in November. Is there potential for more? Or maybe a spin-off?
KE: Oy. We introduced a big cast. I think there is always potential for more. But I feel like I’ve been living and breathing the Rogue River for several months in addition to writing my novels. I’m ready for a break, but it might look different in the future. Writing books is like childbirth. Down the road you forget the pain. I’m excited each time I start a new project, but I get a tenth of the way in and start asking why I keep doing this.
ML: You never know! It was a fun project. I love tackling a new and different challenge to add variety to my work, but it was also tough to juggle two extra novellas with my full-length writing commitments. I didn’t see much of my family between January and May of 2014. But stories are like Jell-O. There’s always room for more.
Kelly : What was the hardest part about writing a story together?
KE: Seriously, writing together wasn’t hard. We knew the other person was disciplined and would get done what needed to be done. With each of us writing our own novellas, it allowed us to write as we pleased. It protected our voices and gave us the decision making power over our particular books. We never felt forced to compromise something or rewrite something because the other person didn’t like it. We read each other’s work for continuity and brainstormed together when one of us got stuck.
ML: The plotting process was more complicated that we expected, with four separate stories and an overall storyline to keep in line, but having a writing partner was helpful. If one of us got stuck while writing, there was another person equally invested in the story ready to jump in and offer suggestions. Typically, writing is a solo event, and when you’re stuck, you’re all alone.
Kelly: Do you think that you will work together on another project in the future?
KE: I’d love to but I know we both have tight schedules to meet. My first love is full-length novels. The novellas are fun and have been great to experiment with, but I think we both want to focus on getting our novels written.
ML: The novellas were a fun change of pace, but also I love digging into a long, complicated (and dark) plot.
Kelly: I have an idea for you!!! You should team up to write a story about a kick-ass accountant/part time blogger who is an Oregon State Beaver fan who solves a cold case by total accident. And yes, you can base her off me.
KE: Ummm…
ML: Sounds interesting…
Kelly: Why do you have blank stares? It is a good idea!!!
KE: *hands off to Melinda*
ML: Oh, look at the time.
Kelly: Fine moving on…..
Kelly to Melinda: You have two ongoing series right now, the ‘Midnight series’ and the ‘She Can series’. Midnight Betrayal which was release in September 2014 is your latest book. Can you tell us a little about Midnight Betrayal (which was awesome, check out my review here).
ML: In Midnight Betrayal, a museum curator falls for the prime suspect in the grisly murder of an intern. It’s an edgy, dark, and sexy read.
Kelly: It looks like you have the start of a new series to The Scarlet Falls series. Book one Hour of Need is scheduled to be released on December 9, 2014. Tell us a little about Hour of Need.
ML: After the murder of his brother and sister-in-law, Major Grant Barrett returns home from Afghanistan to take temporary custody of their young children only to learn that his six-year-old nephew saw the killer and has become the next target.
Kelly: What is next for you after Hour of Need?
ML: I’m currently working on book 2 in the Scarlet Falls series. My working title is Minutes to Kill, and the tentative release date is June 2015. On a business trip, Hannah Barrett witnesses a crime and soon learns that what happens in Vegas can follow you home. Next on my plate (probably) is another She Can book for December 2015. I have a few possible characters in mind. I’ve always thought Sarah Mitchell deserves her own story after everything she endured in SHE CAN TELL.
Kelly to Kendra: You have two ongoing series also, the ‘Bone Secret series’ and your new series the ‘Callahan & McLane Series’. Bridged, book two in the Callahan series is to be released on January 13, 2015 can you tell us a little about Mason’s next adventure.
KE: In BRIDGED, Mason and Ava are assigned to the same serial killer case. A killer is hanging dead bodies off the bridges in the Portland metropolitan area. Of course, Ava’s unbalanced twin Jayne manages to disrupt everything she can in Ava’s life while Ava and Mason take the next step in their relationship.
Kelly: Well we get any more Bone Secret novels?
KE: Yes. First SPIRALED, the third Callahan and McLane book will be out next summer and then my publisher has requested a fifth Bone Secrets book for January 2016. I have no idea who will be featured in that book.
Kelly: Seriously I am thinking the book idea of that kick-ass accountant needs to be on your to do list.
KE: Maybe a forensic accountant…I’ve heard of them…I have no idea what they do, but it sounds like a Bone Secrets book.
ML: There’s no reason an accountant can’t kick major ass, but as a former banker, the thought of writing a story involving the financial sector gives me hives.
Kelly: Fine!!! But, I still think it is a good idea.
Kelly: Is there anything else you would like to add or any deep dark secrets you want to share about each other with your readers?
KE: Melinda doesn’t like sweet mixed drinks. She says my drinks are froo-froo. But we share a weakness for all things chocolate and ice cream.
ML: And coffee! Which is like oxygen for writers.
Kelly: Again ladies, Thank you so very much for coming on the blog I love you both (Top #12 baby) and hope that you keep writing amazing books.
Kendra we need that cake date soon! Melinda I hope to meet you in person very soon!!
KE: You’re my number one blogger-girl, Kelly!
ML: Thanks so much for hosting us. Kelly rocks!
Kelly: And now you know why these two are two of my all time favorites!!!!
Here is a look at the ladies Rogue River Novella series
*****
On Her Father’s Grave
In a small town like Solitude, Oregon, keeping a secret can be murder.
Stevie Taylor had left her sleepy Oregon hometown for a more exciting life. But after her police chief father passes away, the LAPD cop returns to Solitude and signs on as a patrol officer, hoping to heal from her loss…and from the horrific things she’s seen in the city.
In Solitude, everyone knows everyone else’s business—and, to Stevie’s dismay, local gossip soon ties her to the new police chief and a man from her past. Tragedy then shakes up the small town when a teenager dies after taking a strange new drug. Now, the seasoned LA cop must hunt down the dealer while investigating the most important case of her life, one that could divide her tranquil town.
The first of four thrilling Rogue River novellas, On Her Father’s Grave launches a new romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
*****
Gone to Her Grave
In Solitude, Oregon, everyone has secrets…and some will kill to keep them.
When she believes a teen is falsely accused of drug dealing, social worker Carly Taylor takes on a high-risk case and her estranged husband—the detective in charge of the investigation—to prove the boy innocent. A deadly new designer drug has taken hold of her small rural hometown of Solitude, Oregon, and Carly is determined to find the real dealer and clear the teen’s name. But the deeper she digs into the case, the more danger she unearths, until someone decides it’s time for Carly to move on…permanently.
Investigator Seth Harding knows he can’t stop his wife when she has a child to protect. But he risks any chance of reconciliation with Carly if he can’t learn to accept her dangerous job. When a drug dealer decides Carly is getting too close, will Seth lose her altogether?
A pulse-pounding Rogue River novella, Gone to Her Grave is the second exciting addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
*****
Her Grave Secrets
Expected publication: November 4th 2014
There are no secrets in a small town—until someone has one worth dying for.
Local cop Stevie Taylor and police chief Zane Duncan have startling new proof that a deadly street drug is expanding its poisonous grip on their small town: a skull found on the banks of the Rogue River has two bullet holes in the back. Still caught up in the excitement of their new relationship, Stevie and Zane are determined to track down the drug’s source before more lives in Solitude, Oregon, are lost.
Then one death strikes especially close to home, leading to heartache and confusion for Stevie. As the drug distributers strike hard and the body count in Solitude grows higher, she and Zane must hunt down the deadly killer—but are they the predators, or the prey?
Filled with unexpected twists, Her Grave Secrets is the third exciting Rogue River novella in the romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
*****
Walking on Her Grave
Expected publication: November 18th 2014
The electrifying conclusion of the romantic suspense novella series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
The sleepy town of Solitude, Oregon, has turned into ground zero for a turf war between the manufacturers and distributors of a lethal new drug. When a teenage witness disappears, social worker Carly Taylor must find him before he’s silenced permanently.
Rogue County investigator Seth Harding wants to keep Carly, his estranged wife, out of harm’s way, but she refuses to let his concern keep her from doing her job. When one of her young charges vanishes, Carly gets pulled even deeper into the deadly case, and Seth knows he must help her…even if it leads them right into the criminals’ crosshairs.
Explosive and exciting to the last page, Walking on Her Grave is the fourth and final thrilling addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot
Thank you, my dear! Such fun!
It was my pleasure and honor to have you both on the blog “Top 12” baby!!! “Top 12”
I had a great time with this interview. Thanks, Kelly.
What a wonderful interview!! Loved how all three of your personalities flew off the page. 🙂 ~ It was great fun to see the interaction between Kendra and Melinda — it is no wonder you two lovely ladies write so seamlessly. On Her Father’s Grave (reviews posted) and Gone to Her Grave (still writing my review!) were both incredible stories . . . can’t wait to read the next two novellas. Thank you for hosting and sharing this interview, Kelly!